Not that we need to have it laid out in scientific detail, but this article in The Washington Post (part of their free Covid coverage) explains why those who don’t get vaccinated and who are in close contact with other unvaccinated people run a significant risk of contracting Covid.:
It is only commons sense that among those who refuse to get vaccinated are those who do so for political reasons. According to a recent poll “as more Americans get vaccinated, 41% of Republicans still refuse COVID-19 shots” NPR article.
There’s a lot one could say about how the 41% of Republicans who won’t get vaccinated may effect the next election. The ways are so obvious I am hesitant to lay them out. Of course a few could die (if you call the latest weekly average of 478 deaths a few). This is the certain way to assure they don’t vote. However I wouldn’t put it past some Republicans to send in their dearly departed Democrat grandmother’s mail-in ballot filled out for Republicans
Far more significantly politically they could get very sick and survive and manage to admit to themselves they they were led down a very dangerous path by Trump’s propaganda. Their families, friends, and community leaders likewise could get Covid. Republican leaders have already come down with Covid. You get the idea.
Some of the races in 2022* may be very close. A mini-pandemic effecting Republicans could make the difference between a GOP or Democratic Party candidate winning in some elections, both national and statewide.
Update:
By 2024 if Trump doesn’t run presidential hopefuls like Ron DeSantis for one example may be facing an electorate, in his case is in Florida where because of their Covid-denial many people didn’t get vaccinated and got sick.
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* Correction: Originally I wrote 2020.
